Everyone Has a Plan (2)
The next event after the trainer event was practical training: survival. As Marlboro had explained, it was close to a battle royale format. But you didn't have to eliminate your opponents. The most important thing was survival. For that reason, choices appeared at the very end. Whether to agree with your opponent for a joint first place, or to survive alone. No penalty either way. Choosing survival slightly boosted your honor, and that was it.
'It's supposed to be 12 hours, but it's actually much longer.' Marlboro had announced the practical from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but in reality, it was far longer. Does it make sense to reveal survival info in advance? Absolutely not. So right before it started, they'd disclose the massively extended time. The students would naturally proceed with shaken morale. That's what the professors were aiming for.
'The real hell is your teammates.' And the worst part was your team members. Assignments were random based on rankings, sending you from heaven to hell. Get lucky, and survival goes smoothly. Get unlucky, and you taste the hell of 'group projects.' Even veterans prayed at meta levels for this. Sure, high 'luck' improved teammates' abilities, but it was random anyway—meaningless.
'Luna's team has Antonio, so it'll be okay. Kara's too.' Antonio had a strategic bent that meshed well with Luna. His sly side wasn't a big issue. Kara, unknown to me, seemed safe. If I couldn't remember the name, it was half-certain.
Of course, the real priority was my team: Grace, me, and finally Lee Yeonju. Grace aside, this Lee Yeonju character was intriguing.
"Got it, Sivar? You have to talk well even without us. You can do it, right?"
Ellie gripped my hand, earnestly imploring. Her golden eyes brimmed with worry and concern—like a mom sending her kid to kindergarten alone. Will my baby adapt okay there? It was absurd from my view, but inevitable for her. Sending me off solo, without any guardians.
"I dunno if this is right. You sure it's okay to send Sivar alone?"
Kara scratched her head, asking awkwardly. Her target was obviously Lord. He nodded at her question, replying in his usual calm tone.
"It's fine. I've spoken with Miss Grace, so no need to worry. If Sivar acts out, report it immediately."
"Hmm..."
"It wouldn't hurt for Sivar to make new friends besides you all."
At Lord's nonchalant words, Kara looked dubious. He had a point, but worry was worry. Even after my recent massive screw-up, his trust baffled me. Probably assigned watchers or asked Porori. Not like I'd cause trouble anyway.
"Anyway, you look seriously cool dressed up. Who picked it?"
"I did! What do you think? Cool, right?"
Separate from the discomfort of the clothes. Kara's admiring question got an enthusiastic reply from Ellie. Simple summer black shirt and white pants combo. But fashion's finish is always the face. With my build and looks, anything suited me. Regardless of my discomfort.
'Only the shoes—slippers would've been nice.' Sneakers were always uncomfortable. I'd worn slippers to class, but not today. Adaptation period ending soon, enrollment next, then uniforms naturally. Ellie convinced me: couldn't stick to slippers forever, time to get used to it gradually.
Knock knock knock—
[President. It's Grace. May I come in?]
It was nearly appointment time. Grace arrived at the residence on schedule. Luna, waiting by the door, stepped aside, while Ellie eyed me with even more worry. Overkill babying? Maybe, but given my track record, normal to fret. Priority now: listen to Grace quietly, bond with teammate Lee Yeonju.
The door creaked open. Grace appeared with a smile. Form-fitting white blouse, skirt hugging her slim waist. Casual wear, yet intellectual vibe. Confident smile and sharp eyes added authority.
"Miss Luna's here too. Nice to see you."
"...Yes."
Grace greeted warmly; Luna replied glancing sideways. Yesterday's flip from facade to fury lingered. Grace ignored it, smiling before shifting to me.
"...You really don't look like you lived in the forest."
After appraising my dressed-up self, she judged. Surprised face, then satisfied smile. Cleaner than yesterday's scruffiness. Wanted casual, but Ellie vetoed.
"Miss Grace. As I said yesterday, report any issues immediately."
"Yes, understood, President."
"Sivar, time to prepare to go."
"Sivar... you can do it, right?"
At Lord's urging, Ellie clutched my hand tighter, worry deepening. Anyone'd think eternal parting. I spoke to reassure her.
"Trust me."
"Yeah...! Talk well with Miss Grace and come back!"
"Who'd think we're parting forever."
Kara remarked exasperatedly at us. Words aside, her face worried too. Finally, I pried Ellie's hand off, turned, and walked. Grace's smile deepened as I approached—planning to coax me this chance. I'd play along, for now.
"Then we'll be off, President."
"Yes. Hope nothing happens."
"Of course. And Miss Luna?"
"Yes?"
Grace called Luna before leaving. Luna, slinking away, startled. Grace grinned at her surprise, then dropped her saved line.
"I'll suffer like crazy, as you said, Miss Luna."
"Ahaha... yes..."
Come to think, Grace had a subtly vengeful streak.
Grace's plan was simple. Sivar recruitment too tough now—build intimacy gradually. He knew nothing of world affairs or civilization. Start basic, step by step.
'Like food.' Bond over meals, plan survival too. Reserved pricey restaurant. Beyond commoners, even nobles balked at costs. But worth it—excellent taste.
'Sivar eats a ton, but it'll be fine.' Fragmented info on him: insanely strong, bottomless appetite. Always buffets; reportedly downed 5-man portions easy. Non-buffet couldn't sate him. Grace could cover it.
'Family funds it.' Berche Duke individualistic, but generous with kids' finances. Grace focused less on materialism or show—clothes mostly.
'No rush. Get close little by little.' She glanced back. Sivar trailed like a chick after mother hen. As duke's lady, seen many handsome men—his beauty another level. Sculptor's masterpiece believable. But unreal, distant.
'Total mystery man.' Unknown parents, origins; dropped from sky. Yet immense power, red eyes oozing mystique. Curiosity peaked. Where did his true worth come from? Human-like loyalty, or beastly like dog/wolf? Watch ongoing. Priority: get close.
"Sivar."
"?"
First, distance. Grace stepped back, matching his pace. Sivar blank-faced. Intimacy starts with proximity. Status gaps could feel distant or close by position.
"What food do you like, Sivar?"
"Food?"
"Yes, food."
Simple Q&A fine. Shared topics melt barriers.
"Meat."
"Meat? Love meat, huh. Anything else?"
"Candy."
"Candy?"
Meat then candy? Grace tilted head. Candy's food, sure. But unexpected from him. Occasional mouth movements? Candy.
"I see. Anything else?"
"Meat."
"...Nothing but meat?"
"Candy."
"......"
Drop it. Grace thought so. Civilization newbie—few tastes. Buffet variety all 'meat' to him. Plausible. Adapt gradually, solved.
"What was most fun coming to the academy?"
"Fun?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
Sivar pondered her question. Not misunderstanding—he'd tilt or repeat if so. Grace waited. Long think; time for new Q? Then—
"Ah! Beam!"
"Beam?"
"Death! Beam!"
First-time word; now Grace tilted. Death Beam? Educated her, unknown.
"Death Beam? What's that? Not food—can you show me?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Lord. Scold."
Rough combo: scolded by Lord. Grace's face twisted odder. What Death Beam warranted that? Definitely not ordinary.
"Got it. Show me later, opportunity."
"Yeah."
"Promise? Can't break promises, right?"
"Yeah."
Whoever taught him, did well. Grace smiled deeply. If his top fun, something there. Maybe survival practical. Growing curiosity.
"Almost there. Yeonju's... ah, there."
At reserved spot, Grace pointed. Sivar looked. Black hair/eyes typical Eastern, deep apricot skin. Target fiddled on fountain bench.
"Miss Yeonju?"
"Y-yes, yes?!"
Grace approached; woman startled hugely. Not stealthy, overreaction. Mind wandered. Notably, hid fiddled item behind.
Eastern girl Lee Yeonju looked up wide-eyed, blurting desperately.
"Ah, uh! Mi-Miss Berche..."
"As I said yesterday, just Grace. We're teammates, right?"
"Ah. Y-yes. And next to you..."
Yeonju's gaze shifted. Towering Sivar loomed, red eyes backlit by sun—intimidating aura.
"Eek!"
"......"
Harmless looks vs vibe; Yeonju shrieked. Sivar just stared blankly. He eyed her terrified face. Objectively, classic Eastern beauty. Delicate features, teardrop mole under left eye. Cute-mature mix. Slender small frame—like fluffy lapdog.
"No need to be so scared, Miss Yeonju. Sivar's teammate too."
"Y-yes... sorry..."
Grace eyed quick-apologizer Yeonju. Pre-researched.
'Lee Yeonju. Hwan Empire. Class: thief. No standout actions, low rank. Related to Prof. Yeonhwa. Prestigious family.'
Flaw: extremely timid, passive. Grace's info list. Unenthusiastic, unfocused, flow-of-consciousness liver. Why academy? No effort, passion, talent. Normally ignore. Just teammate intel.
'But early arrival: basics solid.' Pass. Many late; she early.
'Leading weak teammates is skill too.' Academy entrant—not incompetent. Grace confident. Plus Sivar. Survival? Sturdiest ally. His skill covers her lacks, leads solo.
'But no freeloading. Can't let my eval drop.' Too strong issue. Risk all praise to him. Tricky. Grace planned mentally, spoke.
"All here? To restaurant? Suits your tastes too, Miss Yeonju."
"Expensive places hard for me..."
"I'll cover. Team leader duty. Sivar, you too?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
Grace smiled satisfied. Both passive—leads as wanted. Ideal. Eastern saying: too many cooks spoil broth. No clashes, solid members, easy test. Smooth sailing. Watch eyes on Sivar only.
"Shall we? Good for planning."
"Yes..."
"Yeah."
Seemed only smooth ahead. Grace thought.
'Hehe. This practical's easy.'
Teammates oblivious to group project villainy.